What's the future of NC's news media amid cutbacks?

What's the future of NC's news media amid cutbacks?

Author: WUNC News November 21, 2025 Duration: 41:00
Local news is a tough business these days, with journalists routinely laid off and small-town newspapers closing up shop. But North Carolina’s journalism scene does have success stories.  WUNC's Colin Campbell spoke with the leaders of two locally owned media companies that are seeing growth. David Woronoff owns The Pilot, a thriving newspaper in Southern Pines, and magazines including Business North Carolina and Walter. Kyle Villemain started The Assembly in 2021, and it’s since grown to a staff of 43 people producing in-depth stories on all things North Carolina. They discussed the business models that can work to support journalism and how they're approaching underserved communities.

Tune in for the conversations happening behind the headlines across the state. WUNC Politics, from the journalists at WUNC News, moves beyond the official statements and press conferences to bring you the context and candid insights shaping North Carolina. Each episode feels like catching up with a well-informed friend who just left the floor of the General Assembly or a key campaign stop, translating the day’s political maneuvers into something relatable and clear. You’ll hear directly from reporters about the whispers in the legislative hallways, the shifting dynamics on the trail, and the real-world impacts of policy debates. This isn't about partisan scoring; it's about understanding the how and why of Tar Heel politics. The podcast delivers a grounded, weekly perspective that helps make sense of the rapid changes in our state's government and elections. For anyone curious about the forces driving decisions in Raleigh and beyond, this is an essential listen. The analysis is sharp, the reporting is trustworthy, and the discussion always points toward what it all means for the people who live here. Dive into the nuanced and often surprising stories that define political life in North Carolina.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

WUNC Politics
Podcast Episodes
Main Street NC: Lumbees help turn Robeson County toward GOP [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:56
This episode is the fourth installment in our Main Street NC series from the WUNC Politics Podcast. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is based in the small town of Pembroke, and this corner of Robeson County has one of…
Main Street NC: Hurricane-ravaged downtown rebuilds on higher ground [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:46
This episode is the third installment in our new Main Street NC series from the WUNC Politics Podcast. When Hurricane Matthew hit North Carolina in 2016, every business on Main Street in the small Columbus County town of…
Main Street NC: The state's fastest-shrinking towns seek a turnaround [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:38
This is the first installment in our new Main Street NC series from the WUNC Politics Podcast. In the coming months, we’ll be visiting communities across the state to hear from local leaders about the positives going on…
A long-awaited budget bill passes and casinos strike out [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:27
A high-drama week at the North Carolina legislature brought quick action on an overdue state budget, following a decision by Republican leaders to drop a proposal to add four new casinos in rural counties. Rep. Lindsey P…
Happy hours and Sunday ABC store runs: NC reconsiders alcohol laws [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:28
State House lawmakers advanced a 39-page rewrite of North Carolina’s alcohol laws this week. The bill includes major changes to how liquor is sold at restaurants, bars and ABC stores. To sort through the details, Lynn Mi…
Key senator talks budget delays, vetoes and eastern NC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:27
A hectic one-day session at the legislature resulted in six veto overrides and an effort to weaken the governor’s appointment powers — but no state budget deal. To sort through the action, Senate Majority Whip Jim Perry,…
Top NC House Democrat criticizes legislature's slow summer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:09
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